Faller bars

ABSTRACT

A faller bar for a textile combing machine comprises an integral plastic body from which extend a row of metal comb pins, a longitudinally extending metal strengthening member imbedded in the body and extending at opposite ends beyond the row of pins at each end of said body to be directly mechanically secured to respective fixed metal mounting plates that cooperate with parts of the textile machine; and a notched or similarly formed region in said strengthening member provides a weakened connection that maintains the strengthening member attached to the end plates during normal operation but permits relative flexing of or separation between the strengthening member and end plates when more than a predetermined torque is applied.

United States Patent Mann et al.

[ 51 Mar. 28, 1972 [54] FALLER BARS [72] Inventors: Matthew Kenneth Mann, Shipley; Norman Rushworth, Baildon, both of England [73] Assignee: Plastex Limited, Dublin, lreland [22] Filed: Mar. 16, 1970 [2]] Appl. No.: 19,947

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 702,333, Feb. 1,

1968, Pat. No. 3,532,077.

3,532,077 10/1970 Mannetal ..l9/l29 3,057,021 10/1962 Hill ..l9/129 Primary Examiner-Dorsey Newton AttorneyNorris & Bateman 57] ABSTRACT A faller bar for a textile combing machine comprises an integral plastic body from which extend a row of metal comb pins, a longitudinally extending metal strengthening member imbedded in the body and extending at opposite ends beyond the row of pins at each end of said body to be directly mechanically secured to respective fixed metal mounting plates that cooperate with parts of the textile machine; and a notched or similarly formed region in said strengthening member provides a weakened connection that maintains the strengthening member attached to the end plates during normal operation but permits relative flexing of or separation between the strengthening member and end plates when more than a predetermined torque is applied.

11 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures Patented March 28, 1972 2 Sheec eet l INV RS MATTHEW KENN H MANN NORMAN RUSHw H 9 ZWTT R S Patented March 28, 1972 3,651,542

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 MATTHEW KENNETH MANN NORMAN RUSHWORTH ATTORNEYS FALLER BARS This is a continuation-in-part of our copending application Ser. No. 702,333, filed Feb. 1, 1969 now US. Pat. No. 3,532,077, issued Oct. 6, 1970.

This invention relates to faller bars for textile combing machines and particularly to faller bars of the type comprising a molded synthetic resin plastic bodymounting a series of combing pins, there being a longitudinally extending metal strengthening member imbedded in the body and extending between respective end plates partially imbedded in the ends of the body and projecting to provide for mounting of the faller bar in the associated machine.

This copending application Serial No. 702,333 filed Feb. I, 1968 discloses and claims faller bars of this type wherein the strengthening member and end plates are physically separate within the plastic body so that when the faller bar is subjected to excessive twisting in operation the bar will break through the plastic and thereby protect against excessive forces being transmitted to more delicate expensive parts of the machine. Said copending application also discloses faller bars wherein the strengthening member may be integrally or otherwise directly mechanically connected to-the end plates, with weak or like points provided permitting breakage of the bar, and the present invention is directedto that feature with the various physical embodiments thereof disclosed in more detail as will appear.

It is therefore the major object of this invention to provide a novel faller bar or the like comprising a molded plastic body having mounting end plates mechanically connectedto the ends of a longitudinal strengthening member, with means providing a weakened point or region enabling breakage of a bar subjected to excessive twisting in operation.

Further objects of the invention will appear in more detail relating to novel structural features involved in the foregoing such as notched or otherwise weakened strengthening members welded, riveted or otherwise rigidly connected to the end plates, or flexible connections between ends of the strengthening member and the end plates.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view partly broken away and in section showing a faller bar according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1A is a fragmentary top plan view showing the metal strengthening member and end plate at one end of FIG. 1 apart from the plastic body;

FIG. 1B is a section on line l8l8 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the fallerbar of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section on line 3-3 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side view illustrating another form of attached metal strengthening member and end plates according to a further embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side view like FIG. 4 but showing another embodiment;

FIG. 5A is a top view ofthe structure of FIG. 5;

FIG. 5B is a top view like FIG. 5A but showing a different structure;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side view showing another embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a section on line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side view showing anotherembodi- FIG. 9 is a section on line 9-9 of FIG.'8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary side view showing anotherembodiment;

FIG. 11 is a section on line 11-11 ofFIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary side view showing another embodi ment;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of FIG. 12;

FIG. '14 is a fragmentary side view showing another embodiment; and

FIG. 15 is a top plan view ofFIG. l4.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the faller bar 11 comprises an integral body 12 of conventional size and shape molded of a I suitable synthetic resin material or other plastic such as a glass spring steel that for most of its intermediate length 14 is bent into substantially U -shape in cross section as shown in F IG. 3. At both ends the members 13 is crimped flat as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B to form the narrow end extension 16.

A series of comb pins 17 have their butt ends imbedded within the body 12 (FIG. 3) and they project from one side of the body as shown in FIG. 1. Incorporation of the pins 17 in body 12 is preferably the same as disclosed in said Ser. No. 702,333.

At each end of body 12, a mounting end plate 18 is permanently incorporated with the body as by molding. As shown in FIG. 1, each end plate 18 comprises a longitudinal arm 19 imbedded in the plastic of body 12 and an end section 21 that has its inner or root end region indicated at 22 imbedded in the plastic and its outer portion 23 shaped to fit with a cooperating mount in the textile machine. As shown in FIG. 2,

7 this outer portion 23 is usually inclined at a small angle to the plane of body 12.

Preferably inner region 22 is formed with one or more openings 25 that receive integral interlocking plugs of plastic during the molding operation.

Referring to FIG. 1, each end plate arm 19 is rigidly and preferably integrally'connec-ted by a metal to metal connection to the adjacent end of the strengthening member, which terminates in the plastic short of the end plate, by one or more metal welds indicated at 26. Also each end of the strengthening member 13 has a mechanically weakened metal section such as formed by a notch 27 disposed longitudinally inwardly of the rigid connection to the end plate, whereby the end plate 18 is connected to the main length of the metal strengthening member by a mechanically weakened metal section 28 readily flexed or broken when a predetermined torque is exerted between the end plates 18 and body 12.

Each end of the faller bar has a lateral recess 29 in the plastic exposing the metal of the end plates for connection to an electrical ground for preventing accumulation of static electricity.

Further embodiments will now be described, each of which provides a mechanically weakened metal connection between the ends of the strengthening member and the end plates that is readily flexed or broken .upon the application of a predetermined torque between the end plates and body 12. In the drawings the plastic body is not shown in FIGS. 4-15 in order to more clearly show the connections, but it will be un derstood that the strengthening member and end plates of FIGS. 4-15 are imbedded in the plastic body in the same relation as shown in FIGS. l-3.

FIG. 4 shows the strengthening member 13 of FIG. 1 attached integrally to the end plates 18, as by welded connection31 between the outer end 19 and the plate 18.

FIGS. 5, 5A and 5B show an embodiment wherein the narrow ends 16 of the strengthening member are rigidly secured as by rivets or like fasteners 32 directly to the endplates 18. In

of narrow section 16of the strengthening member is spread and shaped to form a dovetail socket 35 to embrace and clamp rigidly uponan inwardly projecting arm 36 integral with plate 118.

FIGS. 9 and show an embodiment similar to FIGS. 6 and 7 but with the arm embracing rounded socket 37.

FIGS. 10 and 1 1 illustrate an embodiment wherein each end plate arm 19 is formed with projecting lugs 38. Each end of strengthening 13 is here formed outwardly of notch 27 with spaced sides 39 that receive lugs 38 tightly between them. Sides 39 may be crimped tightly upon the plate lugs by any suitable tool.

F IGS. 12 and 13 show an embodiment wherein the strengthening member is composed of two side by side strips 41 imbedded in the plastic body 12, and wherein each end section 42 of the strengthening member is formed to provide an expanded socket tightly receiving projecting arm 35 of the end plate.

In all of the FIGS. 613, the strengthening member and end plates may be secured together as by frictional clamping at the sockets, or in addition rivets or screws as at 32 of FIG. 5 may be incorporated.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show an embodiment wherein a link 43 interconnects each narrow end 16 of the strengthening member and the adjacent end plate. Link 43 may comprise a length of stiff wire 44 with opposite ends formed into hooks extending into respective apertures 45 and 46.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent IS:

1. A faller bar for a textile combing machine comprising an integral plastic body, a series of metal comb pins arranged to project in a row along an intermediate section of said body with their butt ends imbedded within said body, a longitudinally extending metal strengthening member having a main portion imbedded in said body, said strengthening member extending beyond the row of pins at each end of said body, respective metal mounting plates each having an inner or root end secured to said body and projecting from and longitudinally beyond the ends of said body for cooperation with parts of the machine with which the faller bar is to be used, means providing a metal to metal connection between each end plate and the adjacent end of said strengthening member, and means providing at least one weakened metal region that maintains said strengthening member and at least one of said end plates attached when the faller bar is subjected to normal operation stresses, but which permits relative flexing of or separation between said main portion of said strengthening member and said one of said end plates when more than a predetermined torque is applied therebetween.

2. The faller bar defined in claim 1, wherein said weakened region is formed in said strengthening member longitudinally inward of said metal to metal connection.

3. The faller bar defined in claim 2, wherein said weakened region is a notched portion of said strengthening member.

4. The faller bar defined in claim 2, wherein the means providing said metal to metal connections are welded junctures between said end plates and said member.

5. The faller bar defined in claim 4 wherein said member is substantially U-shaped in cross section within said body adjacent the butt ends of said pins and has its opposite side displaced at opposite ends to provide narrow end portions, and said welded junctures being between said narrow end portions and said end plates.

6. The faller bar defined in claim 5, wherein each said end plate has an inwardly projecting arm extending coextensively with one of said narrow end portions of the strengthening member and said welded junctures are between said arms and said narrow end ortions.

7. The faller ar defined in claim 2, wherein said means providing said metal to metal connections between said member and the end plates are fasteners.

8. The faller bar defined in claim 2, wherein said plates are formed with projections and the opposite ends of said member are tightly clamped upon said projections to provide said metal to metal connections.

9. The faller bar defined in claim 1, wherein the means providing each said metal to metal connection is a flexible link.

10. The faller bar defined in claim 1, wherein there are two of said metal regions, both being formed in said strengthening member, with each one being located at an end of the strengthening member adjacent the metal to metal connection to the associated end plate.

11. In a faller bar for a textile combing machine, a body part made of a moulded synthetic material, at least one longitudinally extending metal strengthening member imbedded in said body part, and respective metal plates projecting beyond the ends of said body part for cooperation with parts of the machine with which the faller bar is to be used, said plates being formed integrally with respective end lengths of a single strengthening member having at least one weakened region so that said end lengths are readily separable from each other when said bar is subjected to excessive torque. 

1. A faller bar for a textile combing machine comprising an integral plastic body, a series of metal comb pins arranged to project in a row along an intermediate section of said body with their butt ends imbedded within said body, a longitudinally extending metal strengthening member having a main portion imbedded in said body, said strengthening member extending beyond the row of pins at each end of said body, respective metal mounting plates each having an inner or root end secured to said body and projecting from and longitudinally beyond the ends of said body for cooperation with parts of the machine with which the faller bar is to be used, means providing a metal to metal connection between each end plate and the adjacent end of said strengthening member, and means providing at least one weakened metal region that maintains said strengthening member and at least one of said end plates attached when the faller bar is subjected to normal operation stresses, but which permits relative flexing of or separation between said main portion of said strengthening member and said one of said end plates when more than a predetermined torque is applied therebetween.
 2. The faller bar defined in claim 1, wherein said weakened region is formed in said strengthening member longitudinally inward of said metal to metal connection.
 3. The faller bar defined in claim 2, wherein said weakened region is a notched portion of said strengthening member.
 4. The faLler bar defined in claim 2, wherein the means providing said metal to metal connections are welded junctures between said end plates and said member.
 5. The faller bar defined in claim 4 wherein said member is substantially U-shaped in cross section within said body adjacent the butt ends of said pins and has its opposite side displaced at opposite ends to provide narrow end portions, and said welded junctures being between said narrow end portions and said end plates.
 6. The faller bar defined in claim 5, wherein each said end plate has an inwardly projecting arm extending coextensively with one of said narrow end portions of the strengthening member and said welded junctures are between said arms and said narrow end portions.
 7. The faller bar defined in claim 2, wherein said means providing said metal to metal connections between said member and the end plates are fasteners.
 8. The faller bar defined in claim 2, wherein said plates are formed with projections and the opposite ends of said member are tightly clamped upon said projections to provide said metal to metal connections.
 9. The faller bar defined in claim 1, wherein the means providing each said metal to metal connection is a flexible link.
 10. The faller bar defined in claim 1, wherein there are two of said metal regions, both being formed in said strengthening member, with each one being located at an end of the strengthening member adjacent the metal to metal connection to the associated end plate.
 11. In a faller bar for a textile combing machine, a body part made of a moulded synthetic material, at least one longitudinally extending metal strengthening member imbedded in said body part, and respective metal plates projecting beyond the ends of said body part for cooperation with parts of the machine with which the faller bar is to be used, said plates being formed integrally with respective end lengths of a single strengthening member having at least one weakened region so that said end lengths are readily separable from each other when said bar is subjected to excessive torque. 